Wednesday, July 29, 2015
The holy Great-Martyr Marina speaks
Orthodox Christianity is not some sort of faded and outdated set of traditions.
On the contrary, God gives those who give Him their hearts and lives great power, intelligence, and a joy that cannot ever fade - it can only grow. All the pleasures of this world become meaningless in the face of this eternal joy:
I do not want anything at all from you! I only want to remain a faithful servant of my Saviour!
So answered the young girl Marina to the ruler, the persecutor of Christians. He offered her a famous and luxurious life, full of every earthly pleasure.
Before her beheading by the sword,15-year old Marina turned to the crowd of spectators and said:
I beseech you, my brethren and friends, as the unworthy handmaiden of the Most High, hearken with understanding to this small exhortation. You know that only one is the true God to be contemplated and worshipped in Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Whoever believes in this triple unity alone is being saved. Therefore, transcend every creation of the visible and sensible world. Elevate your minds and acknowledge only the Father of lights and His Only-Begotten Son and Word, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the All-Holy Spirit. These three persons are one eternal God, almighty and incomprehensible; and by no other name can one be saved.
15000 men cried out “We are also Christians”, and were martyred that same day. The women and children who likewise suffered were uncountable. They all received glory from God and today stand before His throne, praying for us, with their leader, the Great-Martyr Marina.
